National Embryo Donation Center

What We Do

Thanks for checking out the National Embryo Donation Center (NEDC)! Feel free to click around our website to see if embryo donation is right for you. First, though, here’s a quick look at what we do.

Now in its fourth decade, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproduction technologies (ART) have been the answer to many families’ baby prayers. However, this success has created a surplus of frozen human embryos. That surplus is estimated at 700,000 to over 1,000,000 in the United States. Many biological parents store their frozen embryos for future use. But when those parents have completed their families, they must decide what to do with their remaining embryos. Donating them to another infertile couple is an increasingly popular option. It benefits both the genetic family and the recipient family.

Embryo donation, sometimes called embryo adoption, offers embryos the potential of life. It also allows the recipient mother the chance to carry her adopted child and control the prenatal environment.

Considering embryo donation or adoption is a big decision that has both emotional and financial concerns. We invite you to browse our website, check out videos like the one below, and find answers to many of the questions you may have.

Embryo Adoption Stories

Children's Books for Your Family

How do you tell your children about their unique adoption, or should you? Check out several books that will help satisfy your child’s curiosity about where they came from and reinforce your love for them.

Embryo Adoption

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Apply for Donation

We work hard to guarantee embryos are placed in good homes. Help to start a family today by beginning your donation application!

This material was made possible by grant #EAAPA131021-01-01 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The statements expressed are those of the grantee organization and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department.